How to build a Web3 website?

If you're serious about having a Web3 website, you need to know how to build for it. Making a Web3 website is different than usual. Things are decentralized, the design is different, and users expect something else…. So, what DO they expect exactly and how to create a Web3 website that they will love and which will bring you closer to your goals? This guide will give you a step-by-step plan for building in this new space.

Web3 website development - what is it?

A little dive into the history. Bear with us, it's important to the topic. 

Web2 vs Web3

So, the Internet is an ecosystem. Web1 was the early days - static, read-only. Web2 brought us interactivity, social media, and the rise of centralized platforms where giants control the flow of data and, consequently, power. 

Now, Web3 is attempting a re-architecting, a shift towards decentralization, enabled by technologies like blockchains. 

In this context, Web3 website development is less about building a website on the Internet and more about building a website of the Internet, or at least a portion of it, where ownership and control are distributed.

In a Web3 context, think instead of a network of interconnected nodes that maintain a shared ledger - a blockchain. This is where things get interesting and where the real challenges and opportunities for your startup lie. Your website, in this paradigm, becomes a dApp - a decentralized application that interacts with this distributed network.

It also has its own rules and practices for design and development.

Web3 website development - what do you need?

While much of Web3's complexity lies behind the scenes, your users will interact with a familiar-looking front-end interface built using Javascript frameworks like React, Vue, or Svelte and tools like ethers.js and web3.js to make calls on smart contracts.

You will need a user-friendly interface that abstracts away the complexities of wallet interactions, transaction signing, and blockchain terminology. Your website needs to feel as user-friendly as the Web2 applications they use daily.

UX in Web3

User Experience as a discipline faces particular challenges in Web3. 

You need a deep understanding of Web3's user flows, how users access your website with their wallet, how they'll sign transactions, and how to communicate complex smart contract interactions in an understandable way. 

From our experience, there’s also quite a delicate balance between transparency and simplicity. A poorly designed user experience will cost adoption, even if your underlying technology is stellar.

What separates a Web3 website from other websites?

The fundamental distinction lies in control. Regular websites, the ones most of us interact with daily, are fundamentally centralized. They are built, operated, and governed by a single entity - a company, an organization, or even an individual. 

In contrast, a Web3 website operates on a decentralized model. Instead of a singular point of control, the application's code and data are distributed across a network, usually a blockchain.

Web3 vs regular website: transactions

The way transactions and interactions happen is also markedly different. 

On a regular website, when you purchase a product or engage with a service, the company acts as an intermediary, overseeing the process and taking a cut of the transaction. You are essentially using a private system where that company is in charge of all the rules. 

Web3 websites, on the other hand, often rely on smart contracts to handle transactions.

What about design?

Decentralization and user ownership definitely impact the look, feel, and functionality of a site.

The most immediate design challenge in Web3 is abstracting away the underlying complexity of the technology. Users, accustomed to seamless and familiar Web2 experiences, aren't necessarily interested in the intricacies of blockchain transactions or smart contract interactions. 

A Web3 website needs to feel intuitive and approachable, even as it operates on a fundamentally different technical infrastructure. 

This means that the design has to be exceptionally good at making a very complicated process transparent, yet easy to use.

A step-by-step guide on how to build a Web3 website

Let's break down the process of building your Web3 website.

Phase 1: Concept

First, you need a clear vision. Define what your website will do and who it's for. What problem are you solving? What value are you offering? Knowing your audience is key to designing a site they'll understand and use. Next, choose the blockchain that best fits your needs, considering things like cost and speed. 

Then, list the essential features of your site – what actions will users take? Think about the steps users will go through on your site, from connecting their wallets to achieving their goals. 

Finally, even at this stage, think about security – how will you keep user data and assets safe?

Phase 2: Build your Web3 website

Now, let's get into the actual building. Set up your development environment by choosing the right tools. This might include JavaScript frameworks like React for the user interface and languages like Solidity for the smart contracts that run on the blockchain. You'll also need libraries to help your website talk to the blockchain.

The core of your Web3 website is smart contract development, where you write the code that defines how your platform works on the blockchain. Write clean, secure code and test it thoroughly. Getting expert reviews can be crucial here.

Next comes front-end development. This is all about designing and building what users see and interact with. Make it easy for users to connect their digital wallets and understand what's happening on the blockchain. Focus on a smooth and intuitive experience.

You'll need back-end integration to connect the front-end to your smart contracts and the blockchain. This ensures that the information users see is up-to-date and that their actions are properly recorded on the blockchain.

If your website involves files or user-generated content, you'll need to handle file storage using decentralized solutions. This ensures data isn't controlled by a single entity.

Crucially, test everything thoroughly. Check all the features and get your smart contracts reviewed by security experts to find and fix any weaknesses.

Phase 3: Deployment

Time to launch! Deploy your smart contracts to your chosen blockchain. This is a permanent step, so double-check everything. 

Then, put your website code online, potentially using decentralized hosting. Create clear guides for your users explaining how to use your site and connect their wallets. Once that's done, launch your website and start marketing it to your audience. 

Finally, keep an eye on your website, fixing any issues and making improvements based on user feedback.

If you need help building a Web3 website

Building a Web3 website requires specialized expertise. You might decide that the journey from conceptualization to polished interface is too steep to climb alone. In this case, don’t hesitate to hire those who already know how to build and design Web3 products and websites. 

So, if you do need help, here’s how to choose and manage a design agency:

1. Relevant experience. Look for agencies that understand blockchain or have worked on exchanges, NFT marketplaces, or DeFi apps. Ask for examples of past Web3 work.
2. User research approach. A good agency will want to learn about your users and use that research to inform design decisions.
3. Clear process. They should offer a structured workflow: discovery, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.
4. Flexible pricing. Web3 projects can pivot quickly. Ask if they can handle changes in scope or project direction.
5. Shared value. If decentralization, privacy, or community governance matters to you, ensure the agency respects these ideas.

How to use trends when creating a Web3 website

Building a Web3 website often means balancing innovation and accessibility. Design trends can help, but they should feel organic and not simply tacked on to show off a futuristic vibe. 

When deciding which trends to adopt, begin by asking yourself how each one serves your user’s needs. The trend itself should never distract from the core of what you offer but rather guide people toward understanding and trusting your product.

Consider something as popular as dark mode. It’s praised for making data look cool. Rather than flipping a switch and inverting all your colors, think about why dark mode could matter to your community. Is your platform data-intensive, meaning users benefit from high-contrast visuals in lower light?

If so, you might integrate dark mode in a way that highlights key stats or transaction statuses, using a palette that feels intentional rather than slapped on.

Ultimately, design trends should never overrun the essence of your product. Instead, treat them as supporting actors that guide, reassure, and inspire your audience to embrace everything Web3 can be. 

Create a web3 website that brings value 

For startups, the next phase is all about building for the long term - iterating, learning, and adapting. Don’t chase short-term trends or hype. Instead, focus on building a sustainable business model that delivers real value over time. 

Be prepared to experiment and learn from both successes and failures as you discover how to make your Web3 product the best it can be. The goal should always be to contribute to a better digital future.

And, as always, if you need a helping hand - reach out to our Merge team. We need to use our experience to help other startups, otherwise why have those skills at all?